Defense no match for Patriots’ Brady

Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus and his teammates were left with dejected expressions after being blown out by the Patriots. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It rained all day in New England, stopping about an hour before kickoff.

But the Patriots delivered their own downpour, to start Monday night’s game, creating a dreary night for the Texans’ defense.

It was another record-climbing day for a quarterback playing against the Texans. Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, improving to fourth in NFL history with 18 games with four or more touchdown passes.

Brady finished with a 125.4 rating, completing 21 passes for 296 yards. He didn’t exceed 300 yards passing, as the past three Texans’ opponents did, because the Patriots didn’t need him to. They pulled Brady for Ryan Mallett late in Monday’s game.

“It doesn’t feel like we have more wins than New England right now,” Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “…You let them get ahead of you like that, you’re going to have problems.”

Brady scored the first three times the Patriots had the ball. Twice on third down, he received help by way of a Texans penalty.

“Before we knew it, it was 21-0,” inside linebacker Bradie James said. “We had to settle down and get back to doing some things.”

Starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph was healthy and started in Monday night’s game after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. His backup, Alan Ball, missed the game with a foot injury. Ball hadn’t practiced all week but was listed as questionable. The Texans remained without outside linebacker Brooks Reed, who suffered a groin injury on Thanksgiving. And second-year player Brandon Harris became their nickel corner for Brice McCain, who went on injured reserve last week.

After dropping to a 21-0 deficit early, the Texans’ defense put together four consecutive stops.

“We started to get things figured out, we started to play a little bit better in the second quarter,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “But we just didn’t play well in the first quarter and they played really well and no excuse for it. “

It wasn’t enough, nor would it last. Brady scored again in the third quarter on a 63-yard touchdown pass to Donte Stallworth.

“It had some similarities (to the Green Bay game),” said safety Danieal Manning, recalling a game in which Aaron Rodgers threw a Packers record six touchdown passes. “I guess you guys can say pass-happy offense that kind of went crazy on defense putting up numbers. Scoring all those touchdowns on passes. No turnovers. Two great quarterbacks. Going up and down the field on a great defense, pretty much the way it was.”

They struggled similarly against Brady. He was particularly effective on play action passes early, starting off completing five of five play action attempts for 90 yards and a touchdown.

He felt little pressure early as well. And while the pressure improved after the Patriots’ first three drives, the Texans only sacked Brady one time, when Whitney Mercilus notched his sixth of the season.

Even when things went well, they didn’t.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Watt knocked the ball from Patriots running back Danny Woodhead, forcing a fumble. The ball bounced right to Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd, who scored in the end zone.

“A play like that is just tough luck,” Watt said.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) celebrates after scoring on a touchdown pass from Tom Brady during the second quarter.

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) celebrates after scoring on a touchdown pass from Tom Brady during the second quarter.

Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first quarter. less

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. less

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.